Section 70 - Substitution of new sections for sections 277 and 278 - Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1975

70. Substitution of new sections for sections 277 and 278. For sections 277 and 278 of the Income-tax Act, the following sections shall be substituted, namely: 277. False statement in verification etc. If a person makes a statement in any verification under this Act or under any rule made thereunder, or delivers an account or statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false, or does not believe to be true, he shall be punishable, (i) in a case where the amount of tax, which would have been evaded if the statement or account had been accepted as true, exceeds one hundred thousand rupees, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to seven years and with fine; (ii) in any other case, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to three years and with fine. 278. Abetment of false return, etc. If a person abets or induces in any manner another person to make and deliver an account or a statement or declaration relating to any income chargeable to tax which is false and which he either knows to be false or does not believe to be true or to commit an offence under sub-section (1) of section 276C, he shall be punishable, (i) in a case where the amount of tax, penalty or interest which would have been evaded, if the declaration, account or statement had been accepted as true, or which is wilfully attempted to be evaded, exceeds one hundred thousand rupees, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to seven years and with fine; (ii) in any other case, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to three years and with fine. 278A. Punishment for second and subsequent offences. If any person convicted of an offence under section 276B or sub-section (1) of section 276C or section 276CC or section 277 or section 278 is again convicted of an offence under any of the aforesaid provisions, he shall be punishable for the second and for every subsequent offence with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to seven years and with fine. 278B. Offences by companies. (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is. attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. Explanation. For the purposes of this section, (a) company means a body corporate, and includes (i) a firm, and (ii) an association of persons or a body of individuals whether incorporated or not; and (b) director , in relation to (i) a firm, means a partner in the firm; (ii) any association of persons or a body of individuals, means any member controlling the affairs thereof. 278C. Offences by Hindu undivided families. (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a Hindu undivided family, the Karta thereof shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render the Karta liable to any punishment if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence Under this Act has been committed by a Hindu undivided family and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any member of the Hindu undivided family, such member shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 278D. Presumption as to assets, books of account, etc., in certain cases. (1) Where during the course of any search made under section 132, any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing (hereafter in this section referred to as the assets) or any books of account or other documents has or have been found in the possession or control of any person and such assets or books of account or other documents are tendered by the prosecution in evidence against such person or against such person and the person referred to in section 278 for an offence under this Act, the provisions of sub-section (4A) of section 132 shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to such assets or books of account or other documents. (2) Where any assets or books of account or other documents taken into custody, from the possession or control of any person, by the officer or authority referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c), as the case may be, of sub-section (1) of section 132A are delivered to the requisitioning officer under sub-section (2) of that section and such assets, books of account or other documents are tendered by the prosecution in evidence against such person or against such person and the person referred to in section 278 for an offence under this Act, the provisions of sub-section (4A) of section 132 shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to such assets or books of account or other documents. .